Tskhinvali or Tskhinval, occasionally called Stalinir during specific contexts, is the capital of the disputed de facto independent Republic of South Ossetia, internationally considered part of Shida Kartli, Georgia. Tskhinvali Region was also known historically as Samachablo by Georgians. It is located on the Great Liakhvi River approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) northwest of the Georgian capit…